How to Sweep and Inspect your chimney

Want to make sure your fireplace is safe to burn for the winter? Been missing out on the warmth and crackle from a nice fireplace because you are unsure if it safe to use or when it was last cleaned or inspected? Wonder no more!

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ladder
• Brushes
• Rods
• Hand Brush
• Heavy duty vacuum
• Tarp
• Gloves
• Construction goggles
• Face mask
• Flashlight/Work light

1. First, you want to determine what size your chimney flue is that you are cleaning. Most are standard sizes, 8x8, 8x13 or 13x13. When getting a brush, these brushes will correspond with the size of your flue tiles. It is important to note that there are 2 types of chimneys that are most common. Masonry fireplace and prefab fireplaces. If you are cleaning a masonry fireplace you want to use a wire brush. If you are cleaning a prefab you want to us a poly brush. (Plastic)

2. Most people have a misconception that a fireplace needs to be cleaned from the rooftop. This is not true. In fact, better and more thorough cleanings happen from the bottom. (not including wood stove cleanings which have to be cleaned from the top)
   
   Spread your tarp, get your vacuum started, place vacuum hose in fireplace. Turn on your lights and open damper to fireplace. By this time you will be sitting down right by your fireplace to the side feeding your brush up through the damper and adding new brush rods as needed. Brush rods can be 5 to 6 ft long. You will need enough to sweep the entire length of your chimney. For most chimneys this means having at least 6 rods or 30 ft of length. That will be more than enough for most chimneys.

3. Add enough rods to wear the brush is at the top of your chimney ready to peek out of the top. At this point you want to start bringing the rods back towards you but as you do making a back and forth motion on the way. Spend extra time on the way down as this is where you chimney will get really clean. Once you have brought all the brushes out of the chimney. Take one hand and reach up behind the damper and pull out as much creosote and ash as you can reach, even getting the vacuum hose up there if possible. Next, give the firebox a brush down with you hand brush and sweep the remaining creosote and ash up in you vacuum. You are done with the cleaning! If you have to do this from the top because of a wood stove or because of preference please take proper safety precautions. If you feel uncomfortable on a roof, call a professional sweep.

Tips & Warnings

• Is your fireplace safe to burn? You should have a chimney expert come out and initially take a look at your fireplace and show you what they are looking for in their inspection. Most inspections are 21 point inspection. The major cause of chimney fires is a cracked liner. If that is the case you will have to either install a new fireplace liner or seek other options like installing a wood stove insert that is lined and insulated.
• Some chimneys that haven't been maintained or burned from year to year might have more issues that a do-it-yourself sweep. Creosote build up, cracked flue tiles, structural damage on the outside. Consult a professional if you in any way feel like you have noticed cracks in your terra-cotta flue tiles, your brush doesnt take off the creosote from your flue tiles and there seems to be a glaze and high sheen to the inner lining of your chimney, or you are simply unsure and would like help!

[djvmann11]

on 9/3/2009 great article, recommended you 5 stars